HCL launches entry-level billing system for retail outlets

HYDERABAD: HCL Infosystems Ltd, one of the leading Indian desktop PC's producers, announced the launch of an entry-level Point-to-Sale (POS) billing system titled BeePOS Innova for the retail segment.

The company forayed into the retail segment in late 2003 launching couple of POS terminals and has been offering customized computer-based billing solutions for various verticals like retail, transport, utility, etc.

Ajai Chowdary, chairman & chief executive officer, HCL Infosystems Ltd, said, “With around 12 million outlets in India, we are not just targeting the organized sector, but also largely focusing on the bottom of the pyramid. Innova is VAT-compliant, multi-lingual, and comes along with software, hardware, cash management and a printer and is priced at Rs 13,500.”

According to Chowdary, the market size is around Rs 250 to Rs 350 crore and that 97 percent constitutes the unorganized market. “This is a growing market and there exists a tremendous potential to be tapped. There are other MNC's offering some solutions but they are not customized to Indian market requirements and hence a majority of the organized retail outlets are also our customers,” Chowdary added.

Innova is primarily targeted at grocery stores, pharmacists, and retail outlets. And with the advent of VAT, as billing generation is mandatory, the company foresees that the timing of the product is quite appropriate.

George Paul, executive vice president, HCL said, “We are ready for shipping the product and with our vast channel base across the country, we will see to it that the product penetrates into rural areas too.”

Few organized retail outlets using HCL's customized billing solutions include, Shoppers Stop, SubWay, BigBazaar, Archies Gallery, etc.